Improvement in breech-loadsng fire-arms



F. G. WOODWARD.

Breach-Loading Fire-Arm.

Patented Jan. 7, 1862.

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F. G. WOODVARD, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN BREECH-LOADENG FIRE-ARMS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. Sl-, dated January 7,1862.

:To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, F. G. \VOODWARD, of Vorcester, in the county of Vorcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Breech-Loading Fire-Arms; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a side view of the barrel, breechholder, movable breech-piece, and lock of a rifle with my improvements, showing the breech open for loading. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the exception that the breech is closed. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section corresponding` with Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a top view corresponding with Figs. 2 and 3. Figs. 5 and 6 are transverse sections taken in the line x x of Figs. 2, 3, and 4, Fig. 5 showing the parts on one side and Fig. 6 those on the other side of said line.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

This invention consists in an improved construction of and mode of applying the movable breech-piece, and arrangement of the parts of thelock in combination therewith, whereby I obtain an effective and convenient breechloading nre-arm of very simple construction.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

A is the breech-holder, the front portion of ception of the rear end of the barrel G, and the remainder oi' which is made of semi-cylindrical form for the greater portion of its length, to constitute a seat for the reception of the movable breech-piece B, but with lips c a at its rear end, to lap sufliciently over B to keep it in its place. This breech-holder being secured to the stock by screws serves to attach the stock to the iire-arm.

The movable breech-piece B is composed of a piece of steel whose exterior is of the form of a cylinder, having in one side a deep recess, b t, and in its front portion is bored out to within a short distance from the said recess, the bottom g of this bore constituting the face of the breech; and the so-bored portion of the breechpiece hascut in it a female screw-thread, d,

Fig. 8, which tits to a male screw-thread, c, Fig.

l, cut on the exterior of the rear portion of the barrel,which protrudes through the rea-r of the cylindrical portion ofthe breech-holder B, and into the semi cylindrical portion thereof. These screw-threads are each out away in segments, as shown at f in Fig. 1, so that the hollow front portion oi' the breech-piece may pass directly forward over the protruding rear portion of the barrel, to bring the face g in contact with the rear end of the barrel, so that by turning the breech-piece a short distance in its seat and upon the thread c the face g may be brought up so tight against the barrel as to prevent leakage. From the center of the face g to the recess b b a hole is drilled for the reception of the nipple l1. and cartridge-peribrator t, which are made in one piece, the nipple projecting into the recess b b. The rear portion of the breech-piece back or" the recess b b is bored centrally throughout for the reception of the sliding plunger or hammer D and inainspring 7c, the mainspring being coiled around the hammer, and within a cylindrical shell, E, which is secured to the hammer at the front end thereof, the said shell fitting to the bore of the breech-piece and having a thumb-piece, E, at its front end, which works within the recess b b of the breech-holder. The bottom 'of this recess b b conforms to and forms a continuation of the lower part or' the last-mentioned bore of the breech-piece. The breechpiece is fitted at its rear end with a screwcap, G, which provides for the introduction of the mainspring, and coniines the said spring in place and forms its bearing; and the hammer protrudes throughl this cap for the purpose of being engaged by the sear H, which is partly arranged in a groove in the exterior of the breech-piece and secured thereto by its fulcrum-pin m.

p, Fig. 3, is the scar-spring, and u o are the cock and half-cock notches formed in the hammer by turning.

In the lower part ofthe exterior ofthe breechpiece B there is a straight groove, q, parallel with the axis, to run on a guide-stud, r, on the breech-holder A, for the purpose of guiding the breech in its movements toward and from the barrel, to close and open the latter, said groove and pin keeping the segments of the female screw-thread d in the breech-piece opposite the segmental recesses cut in the male screw-thread c of the barrel, On one side of this groove, and at the rear end thereof, there is a recess, s, cut part of the Way round the cap G, to allow the breech-piece to be turned for screwing it up to the barrel. The handle B, provided on the frout part of the breechpiece, for convenience of working it, has provided for it in the right-hand side of the breech-holder A a notch, t, into which it enters for the purpose of locking the breecl1- piece when the latter is screwed up tight.

I is the trigger Working through a slot in the bottom of the breech-holder, and operating, when pulled, to press up the front end of the sear and draw the rear end from the ham- The cocking of the hammer is effected by pressing back the thumb-piece E.

I do not claim, separately, either the segA ment'serew connection between the movable breech-piece and the barrel, or the central sliding or plunger-like hammer sliding through the movable breech.-piece; but

What I claim as myinvention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The movable breech-piece B, constructed with a recess, b b, groove g, and recess s, fitted with a hammer, D, mainspring k, sear H, and handle BQ and having a segment-screw connection with the breech, all substantially as herein described, and applied to4 operate in combination with the trigger I and with notch t and stud r of the breech-supporter, substantially as herein set forth F. G. WOODWARD.

Witnesses:

A. DADMUN, D. L. MORRIL. 

